Hodgson not sorry for playing Sturridge

Roy Hodgson has revealed he will not apologise for using injured Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge in England's recent friendly loss to Germany, according to a report in the Daily Mirror.

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers was left angered by Hodgson's decision to play Sturridge - who at the time was suffering with a thigh problem - for a full 90 minutes during the 1-0 loss at Wembley in November.

Sturridge has since been ruled out for up to eight weeks after suffering ankle ligament damage in training, and will now miss the busy domestic period over Christmas.

However, Hodgson believes the striker made the right decision to play for his country, especially with the 2014 World Cup well within sight.

"Dan has pulled out of a few matches with us for injury reasons. He has been unlucky with injuries," Hodgson told the newspaper.

"It was important for me to, if you like, test his resolve a little bit. I might have been guilty of putting that resolve to the test, but I don't apologise for it.

"And I am delighted he did get out there [against Germany], even though he maybe himself didn't feel 100%, because that means in future I will know I can trust him as an England player. He is not going to be playing when he feels like it, he is going to be playing when he's fit to play."